Bulletin
This Should Make You Mad: 
If you don’t think the oil companies are raking in the profits at the expense of the American public than read this article from the Austin American Statesman. If this makes you mad than do something about it and stop buying your gas from the BIG two oil companies Exxon and Mobil. I don’t know if this will work but we have to do something.
Exxon Chairman Gets $400 Million Retirement Package
This amid soaring gas prices
April 14, 2006 - Higher gas prices may mean a pain at the pump for American, but for the outgoing chairman of Exxon, they mean something very different. Last year, Exxon made the biggest “profit” of any company ever, $36 billion, and its retiring chairman appears to be reaping the benefits, according to a report on ABC News.
The world's largest oil company has revealed the stunning details of Lee Raymond's retirement deal.
Exxon is giving Lee Raymond one of the most generous retirement packages in history, nearly $400 million, including pension, stock options and other perks, such as a $1 million consulting deal, two years of home security, personal security, a car and driver, and use of a corporate jet.
Last November, when he was still Chairman of Exxon, Raymond testified before Congress and tried to explain that high gas prices are the result of global supply and demand.
But, he was confronted with caustic complaints about his compensation.
"In 2004, Mr. Raymond, your bonus was over $3.6 million," Sen. Barbara Boxer said.
And that was before new corporate documents that reveal Raymond's retirement deal and how much he made in 2005, which was $51.5 million dollars.
That's $141, 000 every day -- nearly $6,000 every hour and it's more than five times what the CEO of Chevron made, according to ABC.
"I think it'll spark a lot of outrage. Clearly much of his high level pay Is due to the high price of gas," said Sarah Anderson of the Institute for Policy Studies.
Subject: Gas War Idea
This was originally sent by a retired Coca Cola executive. It came from one of his engineer buddies who retired from Halliburton. It's worth your consideration.
Join the resistance!!!! I hear we are going to hit close to $4.00 a gallon by next summer and it might go higher!! Want gasoline prices to come down? We need to take some intelligent, united action. Phillip Hollsworth offered this good idea.
This makes MUCH MORE SENSE than the "don't buy gas on a certain day" campaign that was going around last April or May! The oil companies just laughed at that because they knew we wouldn't continue to "hurt" ourselves by refusing to buy gas. It was more of an inconvenience to us than it was a problem for them.
BUT, whoever thought of this idea, has come up with a plan that can really work. Please read on and join with us! By now you're probably thinking gasoline priced at about $1.50 is super cheap. Me too! It is currently $2.79 for regular unleaded in my town. Now that the oil companies and the OPEC nations have conditioned us to think that the cost of a gallon of gas is CHEAP at $1.50 - $1.75, we need to take aggressive action to teach them that BUYERS control the marketplace..... not sellers. With the price of gasoline going up more each day, we consumers need to take action. The only way we are going to see the price of gas come down is if we hit someone in the pocketbook by not purchasing their gas! And, we can do that WITHOUT hurting ourselves.
How? Since we all rely on our cars, we can't just stop buying gas. But we CAN have an impact on gas prices if we all act together to force a price war.
Here's the idea:
For the rest of this year, DON'T purchase ANY gasoline from the two biggest companies (which now are one), EXXON and MOBIL . If they are not selling any gas, they will be inclined to reduce their prices. If they reduce their prices, the other companies will have to follow suit.
But to have an impact, we need to reach literally millions of Exxon and Mobil gas buyers. It's really simple to do! Now, don't wimp out at this point.... keep reading and I'll explain how simple it is to reach millions of people.
I am sending this note to 30 people. If each of us sends it to at least ten more (30 x 10 = 300) ... and those 300 send it to at least ten more (300 x 10 = 3,000)...and so on, by the time the message reaches the sixth group of people, we will have reached over THREE MILLION consumers. If those three million get excited and pass this on to ten friends each, then 30 million people will have been contacted! If it goes one level further, you guessed it..... THREE HUNDRED MILLION PEOPLE!!!
This one is not for the squeamish or faint of heart. Written by an irate unknown author. Unedited
Why the fuck does everyone in Austin think musicians should work for free ? I get asked all the time " Stop by, and play for my party. There's no money in it, but you'll get free beer." That works if you are an itinerant alcoholic, but I'm not. It costs me 4-5 bucks for a set of strings. Gas is about 2 bucks a gallon, now. I like eating three times a day, and my tastes are not fancy. I have to pay rent, just like you.
Ya know, I worked hard to become a musician, just like lawyers, accountants, bus drivers, doctors and fine folk like our sweetheart Tracy did. I don't want a medal for it, and I don't save lives like a fire fighter or a paramedic. What I do is a luxury, not a neccesity to most people; I realize that. So, Tracy - sugar - stop fucking asking musicians to work for free. Stop being such a pathetic cheap ass and just free up the cash to pay the band or shut up with your prissy assed begging. Otherwise, you just don't need musicians that bad. We're not shills for you, and we aren't on this planet to provide wall paper music just to sell your shit or to make you look smart. Some of us have kids and medical bills...yeah just like you ! Not all musicians are stupid, desperate crack whores. I realize some behave like that, but so do some lawyers and doctors and no one feels they can pry a freebie out of them. Most of us are good people; hard working, sober ( most of the time ) and dedicated. So, if you want music, pay for it just like you do for your groceries, light bill and all that sexy Victoria's Secret lingerie I know you love to wear.
Tracy, honey, if..and only if...you are hot looking, email me and maybe YOU can work for ME for free for a few minutes. How's that sound ?
this is in or around Scrooge, Texas
Subj:
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~ Another Bites the Dust II~
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Date:
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1/14/2004 3:34:44 PM Central Standard Time
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Dear Friends of the Local Music Scene.
I just received the "e" below from Craig Kern at The Citizen. It doesn't
surprise me in the direction the local print media is going - especially
when the person who seems to be pulling strings there was once a 'calendar
peon' and now controls too much. She is in over her head and hasn't gotten
along with many of the people who have been in the 'entertainment' position
- including Jane.
So - what we need to do maybe is express our convern to higher authorities.
But in this case - it most likely won't work either. Miachel LeFort the new
Exec. Editor is another token establishment type who has no pulse on the
local scene and basically could give a crap.
We all know The Citizen is a stepping stone for many and a place to hang
head for a spell. I truly was involved and did what I had to do to make sure
each and every one of you deserved some recognition and notoriety for your
talents - be it blind or ambitious (how'd that sound from a visually
challeneged individual?)
Publisher Rick Emanuel's only true choice would be to bring me back and make
the paper community oriented and wholesome on behalf of the entertainment
community. But that will be the day eh!
I hope you can bear with me and the paper as they go through changes -
hopefully for the better, but only time will tell. Craig did a fine job
recently doing pieces on Stone Soul and The KingPins whcih I recommended -
and now we need to get that coverage for Jacobs' Ladder and the rest of ya.
Well - just wanted to share - and hope you are well.
Express your concerns on the direction of The Citizen - be blatant (I always
am!) and tell it like it is. This IS YOUR PAPER and YOUR COMMUNITY - and to
run wire stories and non-local is fine and dandy - but it's no HOMETOWNY!
Best regards, Musically - Peace, ART
The Arts Guru ~ Art Wenzel
Aloha Entertainment
P.O. Box 2204, 23 Westlake Ave. #3
Auburn, New York 13021 USA
----Original Message Follows----
Subject: Re: ~ Jacobs' Ladder ~
Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2004 09:02:12 -0800 (PST)
Art,
I wanted to let you know that I resigned my position
at The Citizen. Linda, once again kissed up to the
editor and continues to get her way. I wanted to ask
a favor, I wanted to know if you could passalong to
the musicians in Auburn, that I wholeheartdly enjoyed
working with them, and getting to know them. I tried
as much as I could do do features on bands, but those
above me felt that that wasn't the direction to go in.
In fact, the new editor plans to make onscene almost
100% wire, in which then bands would have an even
harder time getting stuff in about them. I know how
crucial that is too, and it is sad, that the community
paper doesn't want to include it's own people of the
community. Art, it was a pleasure working with you as
well. Take care.
=====
Craig Kern
Feature Writer
The Citizen
From Art Wenzel
I truly was involved and did what I had to do to make sure
each and every one of you deserved some recognition and notoriety for your
talents - be it blind or ambitious (how'd that sound from a visually challeneged individual?)
Subj:
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From Auburn to Austin and back
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Date:
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1/17/2004 3:52:12 AM Central Standard Time
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From:
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Dawnmaracle
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To:
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Art Wenzel Arts Guru Auburn NY
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Well, That sounded pretty on to me! Yes, you did Art, and may I say you were truly instrumental in my local renown. I am amazed that even today some 18 years after I left New York I still have fans,friends and great allies in Auburn. I still have every news paper clipping in my archives. I will be posting all this to my web site (DawnMaracle.com - Entertainment Arts Culture) I am hoping to generate some interest in all this!
Miachel LeFort the new
Exec. Editor is another token establishment type who has no pulse on the
local scene and basically could give a crap.
Not like it was in the 70's and 80's when Auburn Musicians were Important! We were the pulse of the Town! Without the entertainment it would have been a very sad, cold and lifeless place. Hmm I seem to recall my last visit in 2000. Even though I was asked to perform when I got there, and many old fans and friends came out to see me perform. Even though Wendell Packard owner of the "Auburn Musician" freely lent me all my necessary equipment (Wendell? Yes), I still sensed a place that once was rich in History, culture, entertainment and music had since passed away. It was dank and lifeless. Auburn should have been NY's ~ Austin, Hollywood, and National Text book history. Wha hop-pened?
Publisher Rick Emanuel's only true choice would be to bring me back and make
the paper community oriented and wholesome on behalf of the entertainment
community. But that will be the day eh!
If they knew what was good for Auburn!
I hope you can bear with me and the paper as they go through changes -
hopefully for the better, but only time will tell. Craig did a fine job
recently doing pieces on Stone Soul and The KingPins whcih I recommended -
and now we need to get that coverage for Jacobs' Ladder and the rest of ya.
Dawn Maracle
National Award Winning Vocalist
Austin, Texas
ENTERTAINMENT ARTS CULTURE
Subject: Austin ,Tx Karaoke Kapitol of the World
Sent: Tuesday, October 21, 2003 4:05 PM
To: ci.austin.tx.us
Subject: - LIVE MUSIC killed by Karaoke in Austin??
I am a full time professional musician in the N Austin area. I have
recently seen a growing trend toward karaoke nights in the clubs exceeding the live music nights. This has caused a loss of work for myself and many other musicians here in Austin. I would think that a city that proclaims the tiltle of Live Music Capitol of the World would dictate some rules and restrictions onto clubs not to allow karaoke to exceed Live music. ie. 6 nights of karaoke vs 1 night of live music.???? I am now currently working outside of Austin just to survive. I have also seen the demise of live music because of karaoke in California. This is why I came to Austin 5 years ago. Now it seems Austin's fate is headed in the same direction. Maybe the delay was only due to the fact Austin was at one time the LIve Music Capitol of the World. What is it now??
Sincerely,
Dawn Maracle
National Award WinningVocalist
I am forwarding your e-mail to the Multimedia Development Coordinator for
handling. I hope this is helpful.
Thank you for contacting the Austin City Connection, official web site for
the City of Austin.
Robin Hart
Research Analyst
Public Information Office
www.cityofaustin.org
Don't believe what I am saying?
Look here:
In Austin on these days you will find this many Karaoke spots.As of 2001 & growing everyday!
Sundays 12
Mondays 5
Tuesdays 15
Wednesdays 23
Thursdays 21
Fridays 23
Saturdays 26
Is Austin really that large? How many clubs does that leave the live music performers? With so many musicians and so few clubs left (and even fewer willing to pay the musicians) where do you think the musicians will go? The good ones will be forced to leave. Now Austin will be able to boast of it's karaoke singers and hobbiest musicians. The pro's left town! Mark this! 10-27-2003
Subject: Nestlé company.......
Friday, May 2nd, 2003 marked a sad passing.
After more than a hundred and two years in Fulton,
New York, the Nestlé company shut down it's very
first Chocolate factory in the United States,
putting over 417 men and women out of work.
The majority of these employees were just within
reach of their retirement. Now they must start over
again. Nestlé has moved the plant's Nestlé Crunch
bar production to Brazil, the Nesquick line to
another state, and sold off the Peters brand of
chocolate that had been produced at this factory for
most of it's history.
For years these employees put forth every effort,
met every demand,
and fought every fight possible to save this
factory. Each and every time the Company raised the
bar, the employees met the challenge. This was not
enough for Nestlé.
Over the past twenty years, New York State, Oswego
County, and the
City of Fulton brought Nestlé tax break after tax
break, incentive after incentive. These were not
enough. Seven years ago the City of Fulton undertook
a multi-million dollar water and sewer upgrade and
overhaul specifically intended for the Nestlé plant.
The people of this town, many of them Nestlé
employees, retirees, family, or friends, all
understood. What was good for Nestlé was good for
the town. They emphatically supported these upgrades
with their tax dollars. This was not enough for
Nestlé.
Nestlé announced that the plant would close and that
this was strictly a "business decision" and was not
open to discussion. THAT was enough for Nestlé. The
Nestlé company is huge. It manufactures more than
just candy bars. There are the drinks: Juicy Juice,
Nestea, Nesquick, Nescafé, Coffee Mate, and
Carnation Instant Breakfast. There are the pet
foods: Purina, Mighty Dog, Alpo, Fancy Feast,
Friskies, and Tidy Cat. There are the prepared
foods: Lean cuisine, and Stouffers. And the candy:
Nestle' Crunch &Chocolate, Baby Ruth, Wonka,
Sweet-tarts, Butterfinger, Goobers, Raisinets, and
Bit-o-Honey to name a few.
Nestlé wants still more. Who was first in line last
year when the trustees of the Hershey Foundation
considered selling their controlling share of the
Hershey Companys? Nestlé was! Considering their
"Just Business" decisions, where would they move
Hershey Pennsylvania's production lines to? Hershey
Brazil? Hershey Thailand? Remember, it's just
business.
So the next time you're buying a candy bar, coffee
creamer, Cocoa,
Chocolate Milk, or dog food, please take the time to
think about the
little town in upstate New York that has 417 newly
unemployed workers, and will never again have the
smell of chocolate in the air when it's about to
rain. Then make your choice; Nestlé or another
brand. Maybe, just maybe, Nestlé will then realize
it isn't just business any more.
If you think this lament is worthy, I'd appreciate
it if you would take the time to share it.
BECAUSE I AM FROM UPSTATE NEW YORK, I KNOW THIS AREA ONLY TOO WELL. FULTON, NEW YORK AND HERSHEY PENNSYLVANIA ARE BOTH VERY NEAR AND DEAR TO MY HEART. AS A TEEN I SPENT A LOT OF TIME IN THE FULTON AREA WITH MY FRIENDS. AS AN ADULT I PERFORMED IN YORK, PENNSYLVANIA WHICH IS RIGHT NEXT TO HERSHEY. TO US NEW YORK HILLBILLIES HERSHEY WAS A BIG DEAL. A MAIN ATTRACTION! WHAT HAS HAPPENED HERE IS SHAMEFUL. I FOR ONE WILL NOT FORGET HOW HERSHEY HAS REPAID THE LOYAL PEOPLE AND STATES OF NEW YORK AND PENNSYLVANIA! NO MORE HERSHEY'S AND NESTLE'S FOR ME ! GUESS I WILL BE READING MORE LABELS.